Exercising device



Nov. 25, 1941. T l MGCLELLAN "2,264,046

EXERCISING DEVICE Filed Oct. 22, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 25,- 1941. MccLELLAN I 2,264,046

IEXERCISING DEVICE Filed 001;. 22, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet? Fuel); 35

Patented Nov. 25, 194i .UNlTED STATES creme 2,264,046 EXERCISING DEVICE Garriott L. McClellan, Cincinnati, Ohio Application October 22, 1940, Serial No. 362,253

11 Claims.

struction and rearrangement of the assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly which is constructed and arranged to occupy very little space so that convenient storage may readily be arranged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction in which the parts are all extremely simple but of durable design so that the use and operation of the device will be readily available to any person.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure including a folding platform with adjustable manipulating or exercising elements properly positioned and arranged to enable a person utilizing same to secure the desired amount of treatment which his condition may.

warrant.

Other novel features of construction and arrangement of parts will hereinafter more clearly appear by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

.in which,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the platform in horizontal position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the platform vertically adjusted.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View of the end section showing the ankle brace, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the construction of the sectional bolster in disassembled .position, and

by reference character l8.

respective positions.

will be eliminated and the component parts will be retained in their extended or folded position as may be desired.

The end section 2 is provided with ankle retainers or shackles 5 each of which may be formed of sheet metal or other suitable material and lined to prevent abrasion of the skin about,

the ankles which they are designed to embrace. Each of the retainers 5 include the flat portions 6 which are adapted to seat on the top surface of the end section 2 and be secured in position by screws or other suitable means I. As shown the upper marginal edges of the flattened portions are substantially flush with the outer marginal side edges of the section 2 whereby a neat assembly is presented and the arched ankle retainers at the inner extremities are properly positioned intermediate the panel body.

The intermediate section is relatively long as compared with the outer sections and is' provided along its top surface with proper scale marks 8 and numerals 9 therefor whereby the bolster I!) may be properly shifted for use. Along one edge of the intermediate section is provided a rack H which is preferably of metal and extends a substantial distance corresponding to the desired adjustment of the bolster I0 and the aforementioned scale markings 8 and 9. The rack ll may be secured at each end by the screws I2.

The bolster embodies at least three elements, the first element is in the nature of a skeleton frame I 4 formed of a suitable metal and cut away centrally as much as practical for the purpose The ends of the skeleton of reducing weight. frame are flanged downwardly to provide vertical end walls [5, and inwardly at [6 to snugly embrace the marginal edges of the intermediate section of the platform I. On each of the vertical walls [5 are a series of sockets, in the present instance four in number, the two outer sockets are indicated by the reference character I! and the two intermediate sockets indicated These sockets may be formed by striking portions of the end walls l5 outwardly or by the addition of straps which are Welded or bolted as may be desired in their The sockets are formed to open vertically and are arranged in equally spaced relation as shown more clearly inFig. 5. Extending longitudinally of the rectangular frame It and centrally-positioned with respect thereto is the shaft I9 strapped to each end of the top of the frame by the straps 29 and held against all longitudinal displacement by headed portions 2|, the latter being of slightly greater diameter than the bearings formed by the straps as clearly shown. The ends of the shaft I9 are squared at 22 to seat in corresponding sockets 23 formed eocentrically in the rollers 24. These rollers are of such a diameter as to cause a predetermined elevation to the assembly and if desirable these rollers may be interchangeable whereby different elevations of the central platform may be obtained by replacement with rollers of different diameter. A spring catch 25 is fixed to one of the end walls, this catch having an extension 26 which extends through a perforation 21 in the end wall I5 for engagement with the teeth of the rack I I more clearly shown in Fig. 2. By this arrangement the bolster assembly can be shifted longitudinally of thecenter section I and locked at such a predetermined point as may be desired and which may be proper to accommodate the person using the device. The eccentric wheels 24 can be shifted to provide vertical elevation of section I. The device may be caused to move longitudinally on the eccentric rollers in a to and fro motion to secure a variable movement and a further stretching of the muscles and stimulation of the body. As shown at 24 the rollers may be slightly flattened so that the structure will hold the elevated position, the flattened portion being diametrically opposite to the eccentric pivotal connection with the supporting shaft. be substituted for retaining the structure in its elevated position.

The balance of the bolster comprises the top section 3% and intermediate section 3|. The intermediate section 3I may be of any desirable construction such as light wood, hollow sheet metal, or a plastic composition, the size and shape being determined by the size and shape of the skeleton frame I 4 upon which it is adapted to neatly seat to help form the bolster unit. Each end of the intermediate section 3I is provided with end pins 32 and central 'socke'ts 33. The end pins 32 extend down and into the end sockets I! of the lower skeleton frame I4 and align the intermediate part 3I with the part 1'4 and retain these parts in fixed alignment. The sockets 33 are also simultaneously vertically alignedwith the central sockets I8 of the name I4. The top bolster section is 'of a greater contour to suitably fit that portion of the back which is to rest upon the same and as in the case of section 31 the type of material used in its construction may vary in accordance with the requirement of the person utilizing the assembly. Eachend of the top bolster section 30 is provided with the spaced pins 34 whi'chseat in the sockets 33 at each end of the intermediate section '31 and sockets I 8 of the frame I4 to align and secure the top part with the balance of the structure.

It will be noted that the intermediate section and the top section 30 are each formed with notches 35 which are adapted to'overlie the-hold- 'do'wn straps which embrace and retain the sha ft I9. The notches in the top section 30 function when the intermediate section is not in use.

By the arrangement shown it will be observed that the intermediate section 3| may be eliminated and the top back engaging portion 30 applied directly to the rectangular framework I4.

By this means the elevation of the bolster :can

be reduced and it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the number of intermediate "sections and the thickness of these sect-ions may be Any other suitable means may device in one of its positions.

tric wheels at each end of the shaft I9 can be shifted a half revolution or in fact can be shifted to any point deemed advisable to secure a suitable elevation of the central section I and when the assembly is elevated by virtue of the eccentric wheels 24 the end section of the platform will fall on its hinges as indicated in Fig. 3 and present an angular support for the upper end of the body which will be particularly adaptable for maximum eflicient use of the apparatus.-

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated in dotted line the approximate position of a person utilizing the For a person accustomed to the use of the device and to the exercise which is essentially involved in its use the inclined position of the board shown in Fig. 3 will be the most desirable to obtain maximum results. It will be noted that in Fig. 3 the full elevation of the present assembly is obtained beth'by the use of the eccentric wheels and by the use of the intermediate bolster section 3|.

For a person beginning the use of the device the position of the apparatus shown in Fig. '3 would hardly be desirable. In such an instance it would perhaps be better that the board or platform be utilized in its flat or horizontal position as shown in Figs. 1 and '2 and if necessary the intermediate section of the bolster could at first be eliminated. Where one of the present eevices is to be used by several persons of different height the longitudinal adjustment 'of the bolster can be quickly utilized to secure maximum results by proper positioning 'of the same with respect to the small of the back and h'aving once determined the proper position of the bolster a person can readily disengage the catch 25 from the rack H and slide the bolster accordingly to the scale position desired with a minimum of effort.

It will be apparent that such details as' a lining material for the ankle clamps 5 and the formation of the surface of the upper bolster section 30 and similar details can be varied in accordance with requirements.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An exercising device embodying a sectional hinged platform, a bolster formed of superim'posed separablesec'tions mounted 'on "one of positioning said bolster with respect to said retaining devices, and eccentric rouermeans for supporting said platform.

3. An exercising device embodying asectienai platform, said sections being lii-n'g'ed for'vr tical movement, retaining devices "o'n one section bf said platform, bolster formed of sepai ablesupe'i imposed section's slidably mounted on 'andther section of said platform, and means' for elevating that section of the platformsupperting-said bolster;

4. In an exercising device a platform, a-bolster support slida-bly mounted en said -pIaI-Jrarm, means for securing said bolster support in-addusted position, a sectional -bolster, and means for interchangeably connecting said bolster sec- 5. "In an exercising device, an elongated secvertical movement, a retaining device on one end section of said platform, a sectional bolster slidably supported on an intermediate section of said platform, and means connected to said bolster for elevating the intermediate platform section.

6. In an exercising device, an elongated sectional platform having its sections hinged for vertical movement, retaining devices carried by one of said platform sections, a sliding bolster support carried by another platform section, a sectional bolster removably mounted on said bolster support, and eccentrics carried by the bolster support and adapted to swing into ground engaging position for elevating the bolster carrying platform section.

7. In an exercising device an elongated platform, a sliding frame including end portions for engaging the side walls of said platform, sockets carried by said side walls, a bolster section having pins for engaging said sockets, and eccentrically mounted wheels rotatably supported at each end of said frame.'

8. In an exercising device including an elongated sectional frame, said frame sections being connected for relative vertical hinged movement, and including intermediate and end sections, one of the end sections having fixed ankle engaging means, a frame arranged for sliding adjustment on the intermediate section of said platform, a plurality of vertical sockets carried at each end of said frame, bolster sections adapted to be carried by said frame, and pins carried by said bolster sections adapted to engage the sockets of said frames.

9. The substance of claim 8 characterized in that the frame is provided with a rotatable shaft upon the ends of which are mounted eccentric ground engaging wheels for efiecting the vertical adjustment of the intermediate platform section.

10. The substance of claim 8 characterized in that a lock is provided for securing the frame in adjusted position.

11. The substance of claim 8 characterized in that the bolster sections are so constructed that they can be mounted in relatively fixed snug superimposed relation.

GARRIOTT L. MoCLELLAN. 

